Considering Planetary Protection of Outer Space Bodies - The European PPOSS project

Paper number

IAC-16,A1,5,9,x33877

Coauthor

Mr. Nicolas Walter, European Science Foundation, France

Coauthor

Dr. Petra Rettberg, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Jean-Louis Fellous, COSPAR, France

Coauthor

Mr. Pierre Lionnet, Eurospace, France

Coauthor

Dr. Susan Lawlor McKenna, Space Technology Ireland ltd., Ireland

Coauthor

Dr. John Robert Brucato, INAF - Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Italy

Coauthor

Prof. Mark Sephton, Imperial College London, United Kingdom

Coauthor

Mr. Gerhard Kminek, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Coauthor

Ms. Alissa Haddaji, COSPAR, France

Year

2016

Abstract

The PPOSS (Planetary Protection of Outer Solar System bodies) project, coordinated by the European Science Foundation is supported by the European Commission Horizon 2020 programme. This project kicked-off in January 2016 and will last for three years. 

The PPOSS project intends to consider how planetary protection policy has been developed and is being implemented, it will look at case studies, lessons learnt and good practices in order to produce a Planetary Protection handbook that will be widely disseminated.

The project will also look forward and address the complex issues of organic and biological contamination of outer solar system bodies, in particular small bodies and moons of gas giant planets. PPOSS will  identify knowledge gaps, propose scientific goals and suggest activities to overcome the main hurdles to reach these goals.

Besides scientific issues, PPOSS will consider the European engineering landscape and the capacity of the European industry to meet the challenges raised by planetary protection of outer solar system bodies, an engineering roadmap will result from this effort.

As a one of the main outcomes, the PPOSS project will eventually review the international planetary protection regulation structure, process and categorization related to outer solar system bodies, it will suggest policy improvements to COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection.

PPOSS is implemented by a consortium of seven European and international organisations (European Science Foundation, DLR, COSPAR, Eurospace, INAF, Space Technology Ireland, Imperial College) as well as by international partners, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Academy of Space Technology. The project intends to broaden its international footprint and allow a dedicated forum to address the scientific, technical and policy challenges raised by planetary protection of outer solar system bodies.

PPOSS is supported by European Community’s Horizon 2020 under Grant Agreement n°687373

Abstract document

IAC-16,A1,5,9,x33877.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-16,A1,5,9,x33877.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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